The group at Red River Ford shows their support for the Red River Ford United Way Food drive that is underway.

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The fifth annual Red River Ford United Way Food Drive began on Oct. 1 and will run through Nov 17.

The food drive collects nonperishable foods for six food banks in Bryan County.

“We’ve got to make it big this year” said Pat Lynch of Red River Ford.

The goal this year is to collect 50,000 pounds of food and $5,000 in donations.

The food banks include Families Feeding Families, Hands of Hope, Bread of Life, The River, St. Catherine’s and the Salvation Army.

Last year, the drive brought in 42,164 pounds of food and $3,530.78 in donations to split among the six food banks.

Red River Ford is joined by individuals, other businesses and featured partners in collecting food during the drive.

According to Darrell Mendez, Cardinal Glass has been the top food drive partner every year. Some of the featured partners offer specials and incentives to people who donate to the drive.

One featured partner is the Rib Crib in Durant. The Rib Crib is offering a 10 percent discount on a meal to customers who donate a can of food from Oct. 8 through Oct 14.

Red River Ford itself is donating $25 for every car sold during the drive. Partners Mendez and Jeremiah Lynch said they try to get workers involved as much as possible.

Mendez said that his employees are pretty proud of the food drive each year.

“It’s great” said Red River employee, Michael Wilkerson. “It brings together local businesses and residents in our community to support a good cause.”

There are also another 20 participants in the food drive that are not featured. To participate in the drive, businesses and individuals can call (580) 924-9458.

Red River Ford will provide the boxes and signs for the drive to all participants. They will also collect them after the drive to recycle for next year’s food drive.